§ 25 Rule 129 - 137 - Delay of Game (Game Flow)

Bench Minor Penalty – A bench minor penalty shall be imposed on either or both teams if they are not on the ice or not seen proceeding to the ice to start the second, third or any overtime period when the intermission time on the clock has expired.

At the start of the second, third and any overtime period, all players, with the exception of the starting players, must proceed directly to their respective players’ benches. Skating, warm-ups or on-ice activities by non-starters will result in a 2 minutes bench minor penalty for Delay of Game.

When the visiting team must proceed by the way of the ice to their dressing room at the end of a period, they must wait for a signal from one of the officials before proceeding. Failure to wait for the official’s signal shall be subject to the assessment of a 2 minutes bench minor penalty for Delay of Game at the referee’s discretion.

Start of Periods - Before the start of the second and third periods (and overtime periods in the playoffs), the teams will proceed directly to their respective players’ benches. Only the starting line-up will be allowed on the ice. The visiting team will immediately place its starting line-up at the face-off circle, the home team will follow, with the referee allowing the home team to make a line change if so desired prior. Skating, warm-ups or on-ice activities by non-starters shall be subject to a 2 minutes bench minor penalty for Delay of Game to the offending team, at the referee’s discretion.